The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-10
Compiled for The ArkdnsuW TrdveEer. SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

of the vitality of most seeds.
 An Astronomical Society ot France" has been organized in Paris for promoting astronomical develop ment and study.
 Wood fiber capable of being spun is now prepared in Germany. The preparation of the fiber of pine leaves as material for carpets is another promising new industry.
 In English collieries, roburite has proven equal or superior to gunpow- der in blasting effects, while abso- lutely free from the flame that rend- CTS gunpowder so dangerous in the presence of explosive gases.
 The plating of microscopes with platinum by the new electric process has been found to be a great advant- age, the instruments being thus pro- tected from corrosion. The cost is said to be about that of silver plating.
 From all examination of 100,0 ,000 per- sons, Prof. Erismann, of St. Peters, burg, finds that those engaged in tex tile manufactures, especially spinners, are inferior to other working men in stature, chest measurement, bodily weight, and muscular strength.
 Prof. Von Hippel has shown to the Ophthalmological society of Hiedel- burg his second success in grating the rabbits cornea into the human eye. The patients visual power with the new eye is about one- tenth of the normal, and coarse print may be read.
 According to MT. E. G. Ravenstein, the English foot is used as the stand ard of length by countries having All 100000 inhabitants, the metre by 347, 091 ,000 people, and the Castilian foot by 5,905,000. Denmark and Rus sin are the only countries in conti- mental Europe which have not adopted the metre.
 Contrary to general opinion, lep- rosy is spreading rapidly, according to pr. Besnier, of the Paris Academy of Medicine. French colonists are fast falling victims. Physicians every where are urged to seek means of abating its ravages. The disease is transmitted by a bacillus resembling that of consumption.
 Since the first appearance of the great red spot on the planet Jupiter some nine years ago, MT. W. F. Den ming, the well-known English astron- omer, has made about three hundred observations of the phenomenon. He believes the red spot to be feature of Jupiter's atmosphere, and not of the surface of the planet.
 The Royal Society, of London, fur nishes some interesting examples of the longevity of men distinguished for scientific work. The average age of the fourteen Fellows who died during the past year was 75 years, the young- est-Dr. Wilson Fox-being 56, and the oldest-Admiral Denham and Dr. Richard Quain-being S7.
 Loss OF SIGHT IN RUssIA.-From notes of SPA cases of blindness in his locality-501 being in females-Dr. Sergeiff, of the Viatski province of Russia. finds the cause to be granular lids ill 245 cases, disease of the cornea in 129, cataract in no, smallpox in l12. Less than five per cent of the cases resulted from injury. Among 1176 persons sightless in one eye, 222 gave the cause as injury, accidents with straw during harvest being com- mon.
 LET ERIN BoYCoTT PoTAToEs.-A chemical explanation of Ireland's dis tress is that it is due to too exclusive subsistence upon potatoes. Though healthful luxury, this food used alone supplies too little nutrition to sup port people in other than a half starved and dissatisfied condition. It is probable, therefore, that Ireland's woes would be greatly reduced if the piled to the growth of nutritive cere- als instead of the tubers.
 A GRIEF STRICKEN ANT.-Ants not only recognize one another after sepa- ration for more than a year, but there are evidences of strong affection be- tween them. After keeping one nest of ants for seven years, Sir John Lub- book had still two survivors, and this pair finally died within a week of each other after living together two years longer. The shock produced by the loss of her companion was the only apparent cause of the death of the last member of this remarkable colony.
 THE NEW CELESTIAL CHARTs.-l Admiral Mouchez reports that prepa- rations for making the projected pho tographic charts of the heavens are progressing favorably, and that the work of the astronomers will probably commence in 1889. It is expected that ten of the special telescopes from Paris and Dublin-will be for warded by the close of 1888 to observ-